New Bedford Schools To Be Stocked With Narcan

The lifesaving drug used to reverse opioid overdoses will soon be stocked in several New Bedford public schools.

The School Committee approved a pilot program Wednesday night to supply school nurses with Narcan in a preemptive approach to the growing opioid crisis within the state.

New Bedford High School, as well as the city's middle and alternative schools, will receive an emergency kit with two doses of Narcan each.

Karen Regen, supervisor of school nurses, says the kits will be supplied by Seven Hills Behavioral Health at no charge to the city during the initial phase of the pilot, but there could be some costs down the line.

"They will be paying for the Narcan when it expires in about 18 months or if we use it, but once the pilot program stops there may be a cost for us," Regen said. "It ranges anywhere from $40 to $65 a kit."

Seven Hills will also provide certification for the school nurses.

School resource officers at the high school and middle schools are already outfitted with their own Narcan kits.

School officials noted that the supply is not specifically targeted at students, but will be there in case of an emergency involving anyone that may be on school grounds at any time.

Regen says 70 other districts within the state have already implemented similar programs, including Brockton, Stoughton and Easton.